It was a joyful moment for the Ham people, in Jaba local government area of Kaduna State, as hundreds of dignitaries from diverse ethnic groups within and outside the state gathered to celebrate the annual ‘Tuk-Ham festival’ six years after it was abandoned as a result of insecurity.
The Tuk-ham, which is the rich cultural heritage of the Ham people in Kaduna State, according to the paramount chief, Kpok Ham, Dr Gyet Maude, was last celebrated six years ago due to sharp increase in the incidences of attacks, banditry, kidnappings and general insecurity that affected normal life and daily activities resulting to the festival being put on hold.
According to him, “It is a thing of joy that after years of fear and uncertainty, we gather again because things have somehow returned to normalcy.
“From its inception in 1980, the Tuk-Ham Festival was conceived to take place during the Easter season; a season that is of great significance to Christians around the world. As you well know, Easter is the season that Christians commemorate the death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Celebrating the Tuk-Ham festival during this historic season draws us closer to God in introspection on what He has done in our lives over the years.
“The celebration of Tuk-Ham serves two purposes: thanksgiving and supplication. First, we have to take time especially to thank God for the bountiful harvest of the immediate past farming season, and second, to pray for success, protection, and multiplication of blessings in the next farming season.”
The traditional ruler explained that the Tuk-ham festival is deeply tied to farming as the dominant occupation of the Ham people.
He called on the people and the teeming youths in particular, to revive the tradition of communal farming.
While commenting on the pandemic that caused ginger farmers billions of naira, the monarch appealed to both the state and the federal government to put together a special package of financial and material support to help ameliorate the losses suffered by ginger farmers.
The chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Bulus Lolo, said it is not the time for the Tuk-ham cultural festival to die, stressing that they will do anything possible to preserve the Ham culture.
Hon. Gideon Jock and Engr. Mamudi Ladan, who are great sons of the land, said the Tuk-ham used to be celebrated worldwide because of the rich cultural values of the Nok-Terracotta.
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